NREL, Wyle and U.S. Army Developed Consolidated Utility Base Energy System

NREL partnered with Wyle Labs and the U.S. Army to develop the Consolidated Utility
Base Energy (CUBE) System—a solar, battery, and generator hybrid microgrid that will
provide electricity to the Army's forward operating bases.

Photo by Dennis Schroeder

In areas where grid power is unreliable or difficult to access, microgrids offer a
safe and energy-efficient solution. Wyle is working with NREL at the Energy Systems
Integration Facility (ESIF) to develop and test its CUBE microgrid system so the Army
can bring backup energy to where it's needed most. Security isn't the only benefit
of the microgrid—tests at the ESIF showed a 31% fuel savings when operating the CUBE
in peak-shaving mode.

The CUBE converts power from different sources (such as solar panels, batteries, and
generators) into usable electricity—and swiftly switches between different sources
for an uninterrupted power supply—giving it the potential to replace diesel-powered
generators at forward operating bases. Potential applications for the CUBE don't end
there. Because the CUBE was designed to be adaptable, it can help generate electricity
in remote locations, or provide emergency power to areas affected by natural disasters.